15 years ago today, an unknown 21-year-old from Toronto released 'House of Balloons'—a free mixtape with no press or label attached.
The real House of Balloons was a deteriorating party house at 65 Spencer Ave in Toronto, where Abel Tesfaye spent 2010 and 2011. Most of the project was recorded in bedrooms and makeshift studios with producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo.
What emerged was R&B warped by darkness and ambition. The blogs moved fast. By the time anyone knew who The Weeknd was, the intrigue had already taken on a life of its own.
In 2013, Tesfaye reflected on what separated the project from everything that followed in an interview with Complex: "I just wanted to make the greatest mixtape of all time... 'House of Balloons' is the most important for me because I spent the most time on it. I didn't have a deadline for that. Before 'House of Balloons,' it was all freedom."
Don’t understand why. If we ignore the active court situation and allegations, from say 2010ish to when he was pushed out he was a VERY bad booker
Vaudevillians, Aries, The Revival, Cesaro, Blake & Murphy, Finn, Keith Lee, Karrion Kross’ 1st main roster call up, Cody Rhodes (reason he left), Good Brothers, Corbin, Ricochet, Andrade, I could go on the list is long of so many struck outs that actually felt intentional as they were built correctly either else where or under his umbrella in NXT. Much respect to Vince The Booker in the 80s, 90s and early 00s after that he just didn’t have it anymore and he should’ve set his ego to the side and let others take over long before he was forced out due to legal situations.
People forget how absolute dog shit Raw was for a span of a few years leading to him stepping down I just wouldn’t watch it
I feel like Cody’s been thrown curveballs since the road to WrestleMania 40. First The Rock trying to take his spot. Cody navigated that so gracefully, but the fans weren’t standing for it. That took us on a very crazy road to WrestleMania. Cody got his moment at WMXL and finally became the champion he already was without the belt for months prior.
WrestleMania 42, he had the whole Travis Scott mess. Again, he navigated that beautifully, Cena got 17 and we finally got the passing of the torch moment between Cena and Cody at SummerSlam.
I am so proud of Cody for being an amazing champion, an amazing face of the company and truly the quarterback of WWE. He forever puts the team over instead of himself whenever he’s interviewed, he doesn’t put himself first (even when sometimes I think he should!). He’s just the best. He’s selfless, he works so hard and he loves this business more than anyone. People love to talk some nonsense about Cody, but when it’s all said and done, it’s all out there plainly to see whether you’re a fan of him or not or whether you want to admit it or not.
He’s simply the best. Truly QB1. 💙🐐
#CodyRhodes #QB1 #SmackDown #WWE